🇺🇸 U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened new sanctions against russia over its war against Ukraine. However, according to media reports, the president himself doubts the effectiveness of these measures.
Source: Bukvy
🛫 Speaking with journalists aboard a plane, Trump said that within 10 days, the U.S. would likely “impose tariffs and all that.” However, he admitted he’s not sure it would affect putin, who appears determined to continue the war.
🧩 Trump has previously claimed he could end the war by speaking to putin personally. While he has repeatedly tried to shift blame onto Ukraine, his recent rhetoric has changed.
🔍 Trump’s frustration with the situation on the front has led to questions about whether the U.S. actually has effective leverage over the kremlin — and whether he is prepared to use it.
🗣️ Matt Duss of the Center for International Policy noted that Trump now seems to acknowledge that the problem is not Zelenskyy or Ukraine, but putin. Duss added that Trump had high confidence in his negotiating skills but is now facing reality.
📆 On July 28, Trump warned that russia had 10–12 days to end the war, or face sanctions and potential secondary restrictions. This is a much tougher deadline than the 50-day one he previously proposed.
💥 Despite the threats, none of Trump’s initiatives have been implemented. His own statements indicate he’s unsure of their impact. The Senate drafted a bill targeting russia’s energy sector, but Republicans refused to support it after Trump promised to act unilaterally.
⚔️ Amid the summer offensive, putin remains confident. The russian army is advancing, while Ukraine has limited reserves. Meanwhile, the kremlin has spent three years preparing its economy for sanctions, and top universities train specialists on how to circumvent them.
💰 russia is still heavily reliant on oil and gas, which make up a third of its budget. However, new sanctions could trigger a spike in global prices. The West’s oil price cap strategy has failed to stop putin.
🛢️ Trump, however, said he is not concerned about the sanctions’ impact on the oil market. Experts note that despite russia’s apparent economic stabilization, vulnerabilities remain. The U.S. can still apply pressure through the banking system, trade deals, and energy prices.
🏛️ The White House has not clarified whether Trump is considering alternative steps. Still, he is selling weapons to NATO allies and threatening putin with tariffs and sanctions.
🗨️ Evelyn Farkas, former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, said Trump has a wide arsenal of tools. One proposed bill includes sanctions of up to 500% on countries trading with russia or buying its uranium.
🛡️ She also called for increased military aid to Ukraine, engagement with allies, and the use of frozen russian assets. In her view, only the belief in inevitable defeat will force putin to end the aggression.
📉 The kremlin has so far reacted cautiously. putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said they “took Trump’s statement into account.” However, putin’s allies have criticized the shift in Trump’s tone.
📢 Diplomat Daniel Fried remarked that Trump has a chance to correct a “terrible mistake” — sending a signal that the U.S. doesn’t support Ukraine. That message gave russia room to prolong the war.
🎯 Experts point to Trump’s inconsistency as a factor that allows putin to buy time. However, Trump’s latest statements may indicate a move toward a tougher policy.
🏛️ Charles Kupchan of Georgetown University emphasized that Trump could draw on his experience with the bombing of Iran and NATO backing to play a more strategic role in the war against russia.
🧨 “putin will stop when he is stopped. And Trump doesn’t want to go down in history as the president who lost Ukraine,” Kupchan concluded.
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